Top Chinese General To Visit US: Pentagon

China’s second-ranking military officer will travel to Washington later this month on a week-long visit designed to promote trust and avoid “misunderstandings,” the Pentagon said Wednesday.

General Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the People’s Liberation Army central military commission, will hold high-level meetings from October 24-31 and visit military commands and bases across the United States, press secretary Geoff Morrell told a news conference.

Since Defense Secretary Robert Gates paid a visit to China two years ago, the Chinese official “has been committed to fostering a better and deeper strategic dialogue with that country, especially better trust and transparency between our two militaries,” Morrell said.